Floor Cleaning Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A floor cleaning apparatus comprising a steam generator  21  for providing a steam cleaning mode, a rotary brush  25  for providing a dry cleaning mode, a switch  17  operable to select the steam and/or dry cleaning mode, an upstanding handle  13,  and a switch  15  disposed adjacent the upper end of the handle  13  which can be actuated to operate the cleaner in accordance with the selected mode(s). A user is thus able to operate the cleaner to provide the selected mode(s) of cleaning by actuating the switch  15  which is conveniently located on the handle  13.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to GB patent application numberGB1213400.3, filed on Jul. 27, 2012, in the United Kingdom IntellectualProperty Office, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a floor cleaning apparatus which is able tocarry out cleaning using one or more of a plurality of selectivelydifferent cleaning methods.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is well known to provide a floor cleaning apparatus which can providethe user with a plurality of different cleaning methods which the usercan select according to their needs. US2010/0287716 discloses one suchapparatus which comprises a steam cleaning function and a dry sweepingfunction. The apparatus comprises a main power switch which, whenactuated, energizes a heating element of a water heater to producesteam. The main power switch is also connected in series with a furtherswitch, which can be actuated to energize a motor which drives a floorsweeping brush. The apparatus also comprises an upstanding elongatehandle for guiding the apparatus over the floor surface to be cleaned. Atrigger is provided on the upper end of the handle to energize a pump todispense steam onto the surface to be cleaned.

In use, in order to carry out dry sweeping, the user has to energize themain switch and the brush motor switch. The user can then selectivelyactuate the trigger to simultaneously carry out steam cleaningAlternatively, the user can carry out just steam cleaning by actuatingthe trigger and turning off the brush motor switch.

A disadvantage of the above-mentioned arrangement is that the apparatusis complicated and inconvenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a floorcleaning apparatus comprising means for providing a first cleaning mode,means for providing a second cleaning mode, a switch operable to selectthe first and/or second cleaning mode, an upstanding handle, and aswitch disposed adjacent the upper end of the handle which can beactuated to operate the cleaner in accordance with the selected mode(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of floor cleaningapparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In use, the user can select the desired mode or modes of cleaning usingthe mode switch. The user is then able to operate the cleaner to providethe selected mode(s) of cleaning by actuating the switch which isconveniently located on the handle. In this manner, the user does nothave to bend down or look at the cleaner in order to activate anddeactivate any of the selected modes of operation. In particular, theuser does not have to adjust their hand position to de-energise asweeping brush of the apparatus, with the result that the brush can bestopped easily in the event that it becomes snagged or when passing overdelicate floor surfaces.

Preferably the handle switch is connected in series with the mode switchand a pair of power conductors which feed power to the appliance.

Preferably said first mode comprises a steam-cleaning mode provided by asteam generator. Since steam generators can take a certain amount oftime to heat up, it is necessary to provide power to the steam generatorat all times, so that steam cleaning may be provided on demand.Accordingly, a main switch may be provided in series with the handleswitch and the conductors, the main switch being arranged to apply powerto the handle switch and to heating element of the steam generator.

Preferably the second cleaning mode comprises a dry cleaning mode, suchas a sweeping mode or a vacuum cleaning mode.

The mode switch preferably comprises first and second configurations forproviding the first and second modes respectively. In an alternativeembodiment, the mode switch may further comprise a third configurationfor providing said first and said second modes simultaneously. In athird embodiment, said mode switch may also actuate said main switchwhen at least one of the modes is selected.

Preferably the mode switch is arranged to connect a pump and/or a motorin series with the conductors in order to respectively provide saidfirst and second modes of cleaning

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of floor cleaningapparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a floorcleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention which isarranged to selectively provide a steam cleaning function and/or a floorsweeping function. The apparatus comprises an upright body portion 10which is pivotally connected at its lower end to a floor-engaging head11 via a pivotable neck 12. An elongate handle 13 extends upwardly andrearwardly from the upper end of the body portion 10 for guiding theapparatus over the floor surface to be cleaned. The upper end of thehandle 13 is provided with a hand-grip 14. A trigger 15 is mounted onthe handle 13 adjacent the hand grip 14 in a position where it is withineasy reach of the user's hand whilst holding the hand grip 14.

The body portion 10 comprises an external housing 23 having a front faceon which a main power switch 16 and a mode switch 17 are provided. Thehousing 23 encloses a water tank 18, which can be filled via a fillertube 19 having an opening at the rear of the housing 23. A tubularoutlet duct 40 extends from the water tank 18 via a pump 20 and a steamgenerator 21 to a dispensing outlet 24 provided on the underside of thehead portion 11.

The head 11 comprises a set of wheels 28 on its underside. An elongatebrushing member 25 is rotatably mounted transverse the direction ofmovement of the cleaner, the brushing member 25 extending through anaperture in the underside of the cleaner so that it engages the floorsurface to be cleaned. A motor 27 drives the brush 25 via a belt 29. Anydirt and dust on the floor surface is swept by the rotating brush 25into a removable collection chamber 26 mounted inside the head 11 behindthe brush 25. One or more cleaning pads (not shown) of felt, micro-fibreor other material may also be mounted on the underside of the head 11.An elongate power cable 22 extends from the body 10 of the cleaner forcollecting it to the mains supply.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the live conductor L of the cable22 is connected via the main switch 16 and a thermostat 30 to one sideof a heating element 31 of the steam generator 21. The other side of theheating element 31 is connected to the neutral conductor N of the cable22 via a thermal fuse 32. The main switch 16 is also connected to aswitch 33 which is operated by the trigger 15 on the handle 13. Theother side of the switch 33 is connected to an inlet terminal 34 of themode switch 17. The mode switch 17 further comprises a pair of outletterminals 35, 36 and a displaceable contact member 37 for selectivelyconnecting the inlet terminal 34 to the outlet terminal 35 and/or theoutlet terminal 36.

An externally operable actuator is provided for moving the contactmember 37.

The outlet terminal 35 is connected to one side of a motor of the pump20, the other side of the motor being connected to the neutral conductorN of the supply cable 22. The outlet terminal 36 is connected to oneside of the brush motor 27, the other side of the brush motor 27 beingconnected to the neutral conductor N of the supply cable 22.

In use, the user firstly has to actuate the main switch 16, which thenenergises the heating element 31 of the steam generator 21, so that thesteam generator 21 is always at the required temperature and ready foruse. The user is able to select the desired mode of cleaning by turningthe mode switch 17 to the appropriate position to provide the steamcleaning mode and/or the dry sweeping mode. It will be appreciated thatthe selected mode(s) will not be provided until the user grasps thehandle 13 and operates the trigger 15 to actuate the switch 33 which isconnected in series with the mode switch 34. In this manner, the user isable to simply activate and de-activate the cleaning mode by operatingthe trigger.

In an alternative embodiment, the motor 27 may be the motor of a fanunit of a vacuum cleaner. In a further embodiment, the mode switch 17may be configured so that only one mode of cleaning or the other can beprovided.

A floor cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention isuncomplicated in construction and allows the user to activate andde-activate the cleaning functions without having to move their handfrom the hand grip.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction and operation illustrated and described, and accordinglyall suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floor cleaning apparatus comprising means forproviding a first cleaning mode, means for providing a second cleaningmode, a switch operable to select the first and/or second cleaning mode,an upstanding handle, and a switch disposed adjacent the upper end ofthe handle which can be actuated to operate the cleaner in accordancewith the selected mode(s).
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, inwhich the handle switch is connected in series with the mode switch anda pair of power conductors which feed power to the appliance.
 3. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said first mode comprises asteam-cleaning mode provided by a steam generator.
 4. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 3, in which a main switch is provided in series withthe handle switch and the conductors, the main switch being arranged toapply power to the handle switch and to heating element of the steamgenerator.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the secondcleaning mode comprises a dry cleaning mode.
 6. An apparatus as claimedin claim 1, in which the mode switch comprises first and secondconfigurations for providing the first and second modes respectively. 7.An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the mode switch furthercomprises a third configuration for providing said first and said secondmodes simultaneously.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in whichsaid mode switch also actuates said main switch when at least one of themodes is selected.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which themode switch is arranged to connect a pump and/or a motor in series withthe conductors in order to respectively provide said first and secondmodes of cleaning.